Yeonpyeongdo Island is a small island resided by fishing communities. Despite the tragic incident of November 2010 shelling from North Korea, this bucolic island offers many natural and cultural attractions. Island History The earliest known history of Socheongdo Island comes from Chungmin-sa Temple, which was built to commemorate the island's once abundant but now extinct fish species called Yellow corbina (Sciaenidae). This fish was related to the family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. When the economy flourished thanks to profitable fishing, the Socheongdo port was congested with fishing boats, so much that it was said that one could cross from one island to the next by walking over boats. The species of fish is depleted, and the island remains as quiet with views of North Korea. In November 2010, Socheongdo Island was hit by the fatal shelling from North Korea that killed two civilians and two soldiers. In recent months, the island has made an attempt to recover its tourism industry and to develop security tourism by blending its newer military presence at tourist attractions.

From the seashore of Yeosu to Hongdo Island, Heuksando Island, Geomundo Island and Baekdo Island out west, Dadohaehaesang National Park covers about 1,700 small and large islands and various rocks. In the park, the blue sky and the ocean blend well with white sandy beaches, adding to the picturesque atmosphere.During the Silla period, the King of the Sea, Jang Bogo established the maritime world and during the Goryeo Dynasty, the area was a trading path with the Yuan and Song Dynasties. Also, it was the battlefield where Admiral Yi Sun-shin defeated the invading Japanese navy. Likewise, historical sites remains in many places.Among those islands, Hongdo Island and Heuksando Island are famous for tourists. In particular, one of Korea’s greatest fishery grounds is located in Heuksando Island.

Nanji Island Beach (난지섬해수욕장) in Dangjin-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has 700m-long, 50m-wide soft white sand beaches. The water is shallow, clean and warm (20-23 °C), and a pine grove nearly 3,306m² wide surrounds the beach. Nanji Island Beach offers various convenience facilities such as campsites, showers, drinking fountains and bathrooms. The rocky coast in the northwest is a great spot for catching popular fish, such as rock cod and spotty belly greenling. By taking a boat, visitors can enjoy scenic ocean views as they pass beautiful islands, such as Yeongheungdo, Palmido, Seonjaedo, Gukhwado, Yukdo and Pungdo.

Ogyeonjeongsa House (옥연정사), located at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff in Andong’s Hahoe Village, was built by Ryu Seong-yong, a minister during the Joseon period. The construction started in 1576 (the 9th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and was completed in 1586 (the 19th year of King Seonjo’s reign). After the end of the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), war memoirs called ‘Jingbirok’ were written here. To get to Ogyeonjeongsa House, you will need to cross the river by ferry. Even though the house is not extravagant, you can enjoy the humble beauty of a traditional Korean house, complementing the natural beauty of the surrounding cliffs, river, and forest. * Sesimjae School (세심재) This private school has a Gamrokheon wooden floor in the middle with adjacent rooms on both sides. * Wolnakjae House (원락재) Wolnakjae means ‘waiting for a friend.’ In this house, the minister Ryu Seong-yong wrote his war memoirs called Jingbirok. * Hands-on Center Sesimjae (two rooms (4 persons or less per room), Gamrokheon wooden floor) Wolnakjae (one room for 8 or less persons, Aeoheon wooden floor)

Situated in Gapyeong, the city of peace and relaxation, Interactive Art Museum is the first of its kind to be opened in Korea. The museum displays artworks that incorporate state-of-the-art technology, offering unique and interactive art experiences to viewers, and distinguishes itself from regular art museums. Interactive Art Museum engages visitors to enjoy art with all their five senses through interactive three dimensional artworks and illusory multimedia effects.

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.

Seosan Maaesamjonbul (Rock-Carved Buddha Triad) is carved into a huge rock cliff at the entrance to Bowonsa Temple at Gayasan Mountain. The Rock-Carved Buddha was discovered in 1958, and is considered the oldest and one of the most outstanding Buddha rock carvings in Korea.Standing Buddha stands in the center, the cross-legged Buddha is to the right, and Standing Bodhisattva is on the left. The main Buddha, Yearaeipsang (Standing Buddha) is 2.8m high.All sculptures carved in the middle of Baekje (6th century) are called "Baekje's Smile," named for their trademark bright smiles. The appearance of the smile changes depending on the direction of the sunlight, so these statues were designated as National Treasure No. 84. The best time to see the smile is from 9-11 a.m.The location, an important site along a key transportation route from China to Baekje, is on the way to Buyeo from the Taean peninsula. The masterful work represents the active interchange of culture with China during that time period. 

Located 87.4km away from Ulleungdo Island, and formed entirely from volcanic rock, Dokdo is an isolated island off the east coast of Korea bearing a latitude of 37°14' north and a longitude of 131°52' east. Collectively, both Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo once belonged to a country named Usanguk. According to geographical records, Usanguk became part of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C. ~ 935 A.D.) in June of the 13th year that King Jijeung ruled Silla. Isabu (a general and politician of Silla) gained significant strength during this period to overtake Usanguk.In the Seongjong Memoir of the Joseon Dynasty, there are passages by Kim Jaju describing Dokdo, which was referred to as Sambongdo at the time. Dokdo was initially called 'Sambongdo', 'Gajido' or 'Usando', but the name was later changed to Dokdo in 1881. The name 'Dokdo' was first used in 1906 by the Headman of Ulleung County Sim Heungtaek. In 1914, Dokdo officially became an administrative district of the Gyeongsangbuk-do.After The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese fishermen often came near Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Sukjong Sillok, the Annals of King Suk Jong (1674-1720), records that An Yong-bok went to Japan twice in order to protest against Japanese nationals trespassing into Korean territory. He asked the Japanese authorities to recognize Korea's sovereignty over these islands and to forbid Japanese nationals to sail to Dokdo.Dokdo is comprised of two main islands: Dongdo, or East Island which sits 98m above sea level, and Seodo, or West Island, which sits 168m above sea level, together with 36 smaller rock formations. Seperating Dongdo and Seodo is the Hyeongjegul Cave, together with Cheonsanggul Cave on Dongdo. Over time, other caves and topographic features of the island formed due to weathering and erosion.Japan acknowledged the value of Dokdo after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Japan unilaterally transferred Dokdo to Shimane Prefecture, Japan and renamed it "Dakesima". Several authorities in Japan have continuously declared their dominion, over the island, which led to diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan. Such conflicts have yet to be resolved.Presently there are security guards on Dokdo that protect several houses that were built onto the rocks as well as a small harbor. For more information on traveling Dokdo, click here!

The Byeokgolje Reservoir in Gimje is the oldest irrigation facility in Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi (history of the three kingdoms), Byeokgolje was first built in the 21st year of the reign of King Heulhae (330 AD) of the Silla Kingdom. However, this region belonged to the Baekje Kingdom at that time, so some counter that the embankment was actually built in the 27th year of King Biryou (330 AD) of the Baekje Kingdom. Historians agree however that the reservoir was mended by King Wonseong of Silla in 790 AD and by King Hyeonjong and King Injong of the Goryeo Dynasty in 1143 AD. In 1415, King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty rebuilt the whole facility, but it was washed away in heavy rains five years later in the 2nd year of King Sejong. Only about three kilometers of the reservoir embankment remain intact today. Moreover, the original embankment underwent major transformations in 1925 when the Dongjin Land Improvement Association remolded it into a channel for carrying water to nearby fields. In 1975, an archeological study of the sites where the two floodgates once stood revealed that highly refined measuring techniques had been used in the original construction of the reservoir. Thus, despite its many changes, Byeokgolje not only holds significance as Korea’s oldest manmade reservoir, but also as a historical relic that points to the highly developed engineering technology of the past.

Chuncheon Station, located in the area formerly known as Gwanghaeju or Chunju during the Goryeo Dynasty, changed its name to its current title in 1413. The name Chuncheon means a cheon (stream) that starts to flow when the ice and snow from the winter melts in the chun (spring). Chuncheon is a Chinese-Korean word and the pure Korean name of the area is “Bom-Nae,” meaning "scent of spring."